Published in the Herald Sun - 22/08/2022

Opinion: All voices need to be heard

ANTHONY Albanese has a mandate to put the question of an Indigenous Voice to the Australian people by way of referendum. The mandate is to put the question, not the answer.

A peaceful and orderly transfer of power matters in a democracy. It begins with a concession by the losing candidate. This marks the election as legitimate because of the core belief that the people always get it right.

The same principles apply before a ballot. There is a limit to how hard an advocate can fight for their cause, while still leaving room for the legitimacy of a loss.

That is why the PM’s description of the Voice as being about “decency” and “manners” is concerning. The same can be said for his admonition that this is about whether Australians want to be “counted on the right side of history”.

Such rhetoric is anti-democratic.

What if the referendum fails to achieve enough support by enough people or states? Will that majority be bad-mannered and lack decency? Will the PM condemn them to the “wrong” side of history? We know our Constitution lacks the soaring rhetoric of other foundational national documents.

It will never provide the inspiration for a musical like Hamilton.

But ours delivers something far more consequential and beautiful.

It is the foundation stone for one of the world’s most stable liberal democracies.

That is why constitutional conservatives can hold their heads high: not only do they seek to protect something that has worked, but they also fairly remind us that any proposed change, no matter how well meaning, must always be carefully scrutinised.

It is disingenuous to attack these voices, or the voices of Jacinta Price and Warren Mundine, as lacking decency and manners, especially if that view ends up being shared by a sufficient majority. Fear of losing the referendum is rational. Fear of the people hearing an opposing argument is inexcusable.

Changing the Constitution is the most serious of decisions. The PM has said there will be a national conversation. A conversation, by its definition, involves the exchange of thoughts and ideas. It should include matters of principle, practice and constitutional design.

The PM will be a passionate campaigner for the yes case. But he should be an even more forceful advocate for the legitimacy of the debate. If that happens, then no matter the referendum result, the people will have made the right decision.

KEITH WOLAHAN IS THE FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MENZIES